Cuddly Hamster

[Charlie82]

Hello all

Bit of an odd question but should hamsters be so cuddly??
My little Russian dwarf hamster enjoys his cage. He has 2 wheels that he always runs in but the thing he wants to do the most is be held.

He eats and drinks well. He doesn't like getting into his ball. He will roll to be and stay by me when in the ball.
He pretty much just wants to sit in my hand and be cuddled. He loves to be kissed.
When you put him to his cage door, he walks in, turns round and gets back on my hand.

Is this normal?? We've had him for 6 months and I am very hands on with our animals.

Thanks.

[frodo]

To answer your question hamsters have different personalities. Some might love being handled, some might just tolerate it and some hamsters are more of a "look don't touch" kind.

You're very lucky, especially since it is a dwarf who thrives on being handled. I've never had a dwarf hamster, who clearly expressed he liked being handled more than exploring.

This is just MY PERSONAL opinion but I would throw the hamsterball out. There are really no benefits for your hamster to be in one.
1. Hamsterballs do not have good ventilation.
2. Hamsterballs shields their sense of smell, sight(especially when the ball isn't in a transparent color, hamster's do not see well regardless), sense of touch (they use their whiskers to kinda know where they are, since they have such bad sight!)
3. Only you can decide when your hamster can get out of the hamsterball, meaning if he's hungry or thirsty - he won't be able to access any of these things since he is in a hamsterball.
4. If the hamsterball suddenly "opens" due to your hamster accidentally hitting an object, you could risk your lil hammy to get injured, or possibly run off to a narrow space or somewhere unsafe.

A play pen is a much better and safer option for your hamster with new toys and hides. Especially since he thrives being handled, you could probably even have him on the bed under supervision. )

[Ria P]

You are very lucky to have a cuddly hamster. Enjoy! I agree with Frodo on the hamster ball. Personally, I never even considered buying one let alone lock my hamster into one.